Voting machine



Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 12534 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 ell B. Campbll QM ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938.

Filed Feb. 24, 1934 10 sheets-sheet-z 2.26 o O 32 220 z j 1&0 Z5. 146 "we Q 202 177 141 206 17a w /'99 h 205 Q 226 2 200 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

P 2(3), 1933- w. B. CAMPBELL 2,130,338

VOTING MACHINE FiledFeb. 24, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

wenden B. cam xen ,{i @Q/M ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Wendell B.

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL VOTING MACHINE 1o Sheets-Sheet s Filed Feb. 24, 1954 MAYORALTY ELECTION REPUBLICAN DEMOCRATIC TICK ET TICKET FOR MAYOR FOR MAYOR JOHN DOE JOHN SMITH BY 13. Elfin Wendell ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL 2,130,338

VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Em a- HIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR.

7] gyndefl B. Cainpbefl ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL VOTING MACHINE m w Wfl 7 Q m M w Wham m :wh mm WEN Qm \WN O 4 O Q D o O 2 N O b n mm %M M Rm F g www ma NM WNW Q WNW QNN m m mN QNN I B. c fia b'en P 0, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL 2,130,338

VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

19.19. yendfl B.Cam beU ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 19 34 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 WEndeH B. C ZEZ pbeH BYK4@@ ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1938. w. B. CAMPBELL VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1934 10 SheetsSheet l0 Wendel] B. 621 :1522] I Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The invention relates to voting machines utilizing ballots or forms for recording an expression of the electors choice as between candidates or propositions to be voted for.

The method of secret voting was first practiced in the sixteenth century. At that time each person, who was entitled to vote, had the choice of two balls, one white and one black. The elector placed a white ball in an urn or a box, called a ballot box, if he was in favor of the resolution proposed, or a black ball if he was opposed to it. Later the written ballot and the viva voce ballot systems were adopted. In the former the ballots or voting papers were so folded as to prevent the voters preference from being disclosed and the same were handed to an authorized officer, usually termed inspector of elections, to be deposited in the ballot box in the voter's presence. In the latter system the voter simply verbally informed the proper oflicials of his choice and such oiliclals made written notation of the same for future reference when the votes were to be counted and properly classified. The viva voce system of voting has been practically discontinued. The written ballot system is now employed in almost all popular elections, such as those in the United States, throughout the United Kingdom and the British Colonies and in the national or parliamentary elections and almost all countries of continental Europe and other parts of the world.

There are several important objections to the conventional written ballot system, the important ones being as follows: Various illegal methods a have been pursued without great difficulty, as for instance illegal ballots are substituted and put into the ballot box and the original ballots are removed therefrom and destroyed; bottom ballot is removed from the stack of ballots and delivered to an outside party who marks the ballots of subsequent voters, each in turn bringing out of the election booth a new unmarked ballot, and otherwise may perform illegal acts when subsequent voters deliver their ballots to him; all ballots must be handled by another person besides the voter and frequently the ballots are damaged when the stubs are removed therefrom and the idea persists that by legerdemain or otherwise illegal ballots are substituted for legal ones. Also, confusion often results among voters in election booths because such voters cannot be arranged in positive lines when obtaining ballots, walking to voting booths and reurning to the ballot boxes. Moreover, each voter must necessarily handle a plurality of ballots and frequently when marking the ballots is required to be in an unconvenient location and the votes are rendered illegal resulting from poor marking. Also, voters object to the opportunity offered election ofiicers furtively to see how they have voted in placing the ballots in the ballot box.

Therefore, an important object of the invention is to provide a simple, light weight and convenient size, efficient, practical and durable voting machine which may be operated without technical skill on the part of voters and election oflicials and in the utilization of said invention ballots are concealed from all others except the electors who record their choice on the respective ballots and afterwards said ballots are deposited unfolded at random with other voted ballots, whereby the act of electors when voting is simplified to a great degree and the likelihood of failure of the electors to properly record his choice as between candidates or propositions is reduced to a minimum and subsequent sorting and counting of said ballots is performed quickly, efliciently and conveniently.

Other objects of the invention are to provide means whereby the deposited or cast ballots are automatically mixed in the ballot box in such a manner that the ballots cannot be subsequently selected for the purpose of determining the persons who marked or recorded the ballots; to provide means whereby after one elector has marked or recorded his ballot or voting paper, and manually operated the machine, this same or another elector cannot vote until the machine is set or unlocked by two representatives of the political parties involved in the election; to provide means whereby if the voter fails to follow through the operation of the machine it cannot be subsequently used except after the completion of the operation of the machine which will result in the ballot being deposited in the ballot box; to provide means whereby the ballot or voting paper, which may comprise cardboard connected in a continuous strip, may be advanced step by step to receive successively the vote of each individual elector or if unconnected may be presented one at a time for voting by an individual voter with means to prevent access to another ballot; to provide simple and efficient means adapted to automatically cut the marked ballots from said strip when said machine is operated to advance said strip to receive the vote of the next elector; to provide a more efficient and convenient method of checking the number of ballots voted at any time during the course of the election, and to eliminate indications as to how individual voters had cast their votes; to provide means whereby each voter causes his own ballot to be deposited in a locked ballot box, thereby assuring absolute secrecy and at the same time preventing any voter from voting more than one ballot; to provide means whereby ballots passed through the machine may be subsequently identified as having passed through a particular machine, thereby affording a further protection against fraud; to provide a machine which can be used in localities having laws requiring rotating ballots or such ballots as have names of candidates arranged differently on each subsequent ballot, or for convenient voting under election systems requiring voting by preference, number of choice, and which complies with laws of various States which permit voters to write the names of unnominated candidates, and the like; and to provide means whereby it is unnecessary to transport marked ballots from the election booth by the voters, thus avoiding confusion in the election quarters which results in rapid and efficient voting on the part of the voters.

The following detailed description refers to the foregoing and other objects of the invention which consists in certain novel features of construction and operation utilized in certain combination of parts.

The hereinafter drawings and general description is of the preferred design, although the same is subject to modifications without affecting the principles of the disclosure and I desire by inference to include variations.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 2-2 in Fig. 1 and with parts removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the invention with parts broken away and parts removed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lock support and casing with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 5--5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view of the invention with parts broken away;

Fig. 7 is a plan View of the ballot strip partly broken away;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the ballot box;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the frame and gear mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on a line corresponding to |5|0 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the crank partly broken away;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the frame, with parts broken away;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on a line corresponding to |3|3 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the printing mechanism, with parts broken away;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the block;

Fig. 16 is a section taken on a line corresponding to |6|6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 16, with parts broken away;

Fig. 18 is a section taken on a line corresponding to |8|8 in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a section taken on a line corresponding to i9|9 in Fig. 3, with parts broken away and parts removed;

Fig. 20 is a side view of Fig. 19 with parts broken away;

Fig. 21 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 2|-2| in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a perspective View of the segment;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the lid, with parts broken away;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a lock;

Fig. 25 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 26 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 2fi26 in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 2l2'| in Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a side elevational view of a key;

Fig. 29 is a side elevational view of the invention with parts broken away and with parts removed; and

Fig. 30 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 36-30 on Fig. 1 with parts broken away.

In the preferred construction of the invention I provide the voting machine l which comprises the casing 2 having the vertical sides 3 and 4, vertical front and rear 5 and 6, horizontal bottom 1 and the top 8. The top 8 comprises the horizontal plate 9 having its downwardly turned edge Ill hingedly connected with the upturned v edge ll of the casing lid 2' comprising the downwardly and forwardly inclined plate l2 having integrally formed with its lower edge the vertical plate |2'. The plate l2 has therein the rectangular opening l3.

The ballot I4 is visible through the opening |3 and is supported by the writing board It: whose side edges rest upon the tops of the side plates I6 and N5 of the head or frame i'l'. The board l5 acts as a support for the ballot i4 while it is being marked by a voter.

Referring to Fig. l, in the front 5 of the casing 2 is the opening it through which the ballot box or drawer I9 is adapted to be slid and received in the space or compartment 20, of the casing, which receives the voted ballots, as hereinafter explained. The ballot box i9 is considerably larger than necessary to contain the ballots, so that sufficient space is provided therein to enable the ballots to fall at random and mix them in an undeterminable manner.

On the front board 2| are the locks 22 and 22 for utilization in locking the ballot box IS in the compartment 20 to prevent any persons, other than those possessing keys to the looks, from removing the ballot box from the casing 2. The front board 2| has the lugs 2| integral with its bottom edge and received in the holes 23 of the casing. When positioning the front board 2| to close the opening l8 the lugs 2| are inserted in the holes 23 and then the top of the front board is moved inwardly thereby causing the locks 22 and 22 to automatically lock the front board in its position, since the locks are of the usual spring type.

The top 24 of the ballot box has fixed thereto the lid 25 as by the torsion or coil springs 215 having its ends 21 and 28, respectively, fixed to the lower surface of the rear edge of the top 24, of the ballot box, and to the lower surface of the inner edge of the lid 25 whereby normally the torsion springs 26 are adapted to retain the lid in open position, as shown in Fig. 5. However, when the ballot box contains ballots and it is desired to remove it from the compartment 20 the keys, preferably possessed by representatives of two political parties, are utilized to unlock the locks 22 and 22' and the top of the front board 2| is manually forced outwardly and then lifted upwardly to remove the lugs 2| from the holes 23 in the casing. Then the ballot box may be manually forced forwardly and outwardly through the opening |8 in the casing 2, whereby the top surface of the lid 25 is caused to contact the lug 29, fixed to the lower surface of the bottom 30 of the head thereby automatically closing the lid and the pins 3| of the downwardly extending L-shape lugs 32, suitably fixed to the lower surface of the outer edges of the lid 25, are caused to engage the heads 33 of the latches 33 which automatically locks the lid 25 in closed position since the latches 33 are pivotally connected with the respective sides of the ballot box thereby closing the opening 34 in the rear of the ballot box which cannot be opened or unlocked until it is received in possession of the proper po litical officials who have in their possession keys to unlock the locks I9 positioned in the door I9" which is hingedly connected with the front of the ballot box.

Before the ballot box I9 is placed into the compartment 28 the lid 25 must be in closed and locked in position, as by the pins 3i, of the lugs 32, engaging the heads 33 of the latches 33 as shown in Fig. 5. After the ballot box is positioned in the casing and before the front board 2I is locked to close the opening I8, the lid is manually opened as by a person extending his arm into the compartment 26 and forcing the latches 33 rearwardly and from contact with the pins 3| whereby the torsion springs 26 force the lid 25 in open position as shown in Fig. 5. The latches 33 are pivoted to the sides of the box I9 as by the pins 35. The coil springs 36 are connected with the latches 33 and the sides of the ballot box I9 whereby the latches 33 are urged forwardly and normally retain the heads 33 in looking engagement with the pins 3|.

Directly above the ballot box compartment 20 and in the forward portion of the casing 2 is the frame I! which comprises the spaced apart angular side plates I6 and 56 having connected therewith the rear plates 31 and 31. At the bottom edges of the plates I6 I5 are the outwardly extending legs 38 integrally formed at the front and rear of its lower edges. The legs 38 are fixed, as by the bolts 38, to the bottom 38 of the frame IT. The bottom 30 forms the bottom of the unvoted ballot receiving compartment 39. The frame I! is supported by the horizontal legs 40 and 4! of the angles 42 and 43 whose vertical legs 44 and 45, respectively, are secured as by bolts 46 to the inner surfaces of the sides 3 and 4 of the casing 2. The legs 40 and M and the bottom 36 are secured to the angles 42 and 43 as by the bolts 38.

The casing lid 2' is of angular formation and its downwardly and forwardly inclined plate I2, when in closed position, is supported by the top edges 41 of the casing. The lower vertical plate I2, of the lid 2, is utilized to close the opening 48 in the front of the casing 2 which communicates with the unvoted ballot compartment 39. The plate I2 is provided with the locks 49 and 50, whereby when the stack SI of the continuous strip or web 5! of the ballots I4, are placed in I the compartment 39 the lid 2 may be locked in position to prevent any persons, except the possessors of the keys to the locks, from entering the compartment 39.

As shown in Fig. 12, in the side plates I6 and I6 .are the holes 52 and 53 which rotatably receive the shaft 5 having the collar 55 secured onto its end 56, as by the screw 51. The collar 55 engages the outer surface of the side plate Hi to prevent movement of the shaft toward the side plate I6. In the other end 58 of the shaft 54 is received the screw 59, as shown in Fig. 10, having the shoulder 68, integrally formed adjacent its head 6|, around which is received the inner end 62 of the hand contact crank 63. The key 64 is received in the key holes 65 and 66 in the crank 63 and the bushing 6?, whereby rotatable movement of the hand contact crank 63 is adapted to rotate the bushing 61. Fixed to the bushing 6'! is the ratchet retainer plate or pendant 68 for purposes fully hereinafter explained.

The ratchet 69 is fixed to the shaft 54 as by the pin I and contacts the plate 66. Adjacent the boss II, integrally formed with the outer side of the side plate I6, is the main driving gear 12 which is fixed to the shaft 54 as by the pin 13. Fixed to the shaft 54 and intermediate the ratchet 69 and the gear I2 is the sprocket wheel I4.

Meshing with the gear I2 is the idler gear I5, as shown in Fig. 2, which is mounted on the stud I6 fixed to the outer side of the side plate I6. The gear i meshes with the gear 11 fixed to the shaft I8 which extends transversely of the frame l! and is rotatably mounted in the holes I9 and 5- in the side plates I6 and I6. Spaced from the inner surfaces of the side plates I6 and I6 are the pin or sprocket wheels SI and 82 suitably fixed to the shaft I8. Meshing with the gear 11 is the idler gear 83 which is mounted on the screw bolt 84 having its inner end 85 threaded in the hole 66 in the side plate I6.

The holes 81, 88, 89 and 90, in the side plate I6, receive the ends 9!, 92, 93 and 94 of the shafts BI, 92, 93 and 94 whose other ends are mounted in the side plate IS. The pin wheels 95, 96, 97 and 98, shown in Fig. 3, are spaced from the inner surfaces of the side plate l6 and are mounted upon the ends 9|, 92, 93 and 94 of the shafts 9!, 92, 93 and 94 which have mounted on their other ends the pin wheels 99, I60, 1M, and I62 positioned adjacent the inner surface of the side plate I6. On the outer ends of each of the shafts Si, 92, 93 and 94 are the gears I63, I64, I65 and I06 which mesh with the idler gears #01, I08, I09 and III] which are mounted on the studs IlI, H2 and H3 received in the side plate i6, whereby rotation of the hand contact crank 63 may, under the circumstances hereinafter fully explained, cause rotation of the gears 11, I03, I64, I05 and I66 which in turn cause rotation of the shafts I8, BI, 92, 93 and 94 for the purpose of causing rotation of the pin wheels BI and 82, 99 and 95, I06 and 96, IIII and 9! and I02 and 98 whose pins I I4, extend outwardly and are adapted to be received through the perforations or holes H5 in the outer edges II6 and III of the ballot I4 for the purpose of causing movement of the ballot on the writing board I5 in the direction indicated by the arrow H8 in Fig. 1.

The ballots I4 are in web formation and connected with each other, it being apparent that the web may be suitably mounted upon a roll or as herein shown assembled in the stack 5| so that when the hand contact crank 63 is rotated and the pins I I4 of the pin wheels enter the perforations H5 in the outer edges H6 and II! of :ie ballot I4, positioned on the writing board I5, the latter mentioned ballot moves rearwardly and upwardly on the inclined surface of the writing board and automatically pulls the web in contact with the printing mechanism I I9, hereinafter fully described, whereby as the ballot 4 on the writingv board l5 moves rearwardly other ballots from the stack 5i are caused to move forwardly whereby as one voted ballot is being removed from the writing board I5, as by manual operation of the crank 63, another unvoted ballot is being moved rearwardly to take the position on the Writing board just previously occupied by the voted ballot.

Rotatably mounted in the upper edges of the ends 523 and 26 of the side plates I6 and I6 are the shafts I2; and 522 of the printing mechanism H9 shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 3. Suitably secured to the shaft i2I is the tubular cylinder 823 having thereon the covering I24 which has in its outer peripheral surface the spaced apart recesses I25 having suitably secured therein the blocks I26 each having on its outer face the indication or type I21 which is adapted to contact the lower surface I4 of the ballot I4 when the hand contact crank 63 is rotated for the purpose of moving the web of ballots toward the rear of the casing 2.

Suitably fixed to the shaft I22 is the hollow cylindrical roller I28 having thereon the pervious covering I29 which is adapted to absorb ink, received in the roller I26, whereby rotation of the shaft I2I, caused by contact of the covering I24 with the lower surface of the ballot I4, causes rotation of the cylinder I 23 and shaft I2I whereby the type I21, on the outer surface of the block I26, prints the lower surface of the ballot I4 and the type I21 contacts the pervious covering I29 of the roller I28 and absorbs a sufficient quantity of ink to cause a plurality of characters I 36 to be printed in aligned rows on the back or lower surface I4 of the ballot I4 while the voted ballot is moving rearwardly on the writing board I5. The purpose of the characters or indications I36 being printed on the back or lower side I4 of the ballots I4, as the same pass rearwardly, is that at any future time, after the ballots are removed from the ballot box IS, in the casing 2 of the voting machine I, reference to the characters or indications I39 printed on the back or lower surface of the ballots clearly indicates from which voting machine the ballots were removed, since each voting machine has installed on its cylinder I23 different type I21.

Rotatably mounted on the stub shaft I3 I, which is secured in the hole I32 in the side plate I6, is the wheel or segment I33 which has on its inner edge the flange I34 in which are formed the notches I35, I36 and I31. The notches I35 and I36 are adjacent the end I36 of the flange and the notch I31 is adjacent the end I39 of the flange. Adjacent the notch I31 is the recess I46 formed in the inner surface of the flange. In the outer peripheral surface of the arc is the notch I4l. The notch I36, as shown in Fig. 22, is less in width than the width of the notch I35.

Hingedly connected with the plate I2 of the casing top 2' is the lid I42 having fixed to its lower side I43 and adjacent its edge I44, the spaced apart curved upper and lower bars I45 and I46 which are slidably received in the slots I45 in the plate I2 of the casing lid 2'. Integrally formed with the outer-lower edge of the curved bar I45 is the flange M1. The outer end I48 of the bar I46 has fixed thereto the spring I49, as by the rivets I55. The spring is bent at right angles to the bar and extends in the same direc tion as the flange I41 is extended on the bar I45 and is adapted to contact the inner edge of the rim of the segment I53, when the segment is rotated at the time the bar I46 is in an uppermost position. Fixed to the lower curved bar I46, adjacent its end I5I is the curved spring I 52 having its end I53 fixed to the bar as by the rivet I55. The other end I54 is slidable on the bar I46 since the rivet I55 at the end I54, of the spring I52, is slidable in an enlarged hole in the spring I52. For this reason the head of the rivet I55 at the end I 54 is slightly larger than the head of the rivet I55 at the end I53 of the spring. The intermediate portion I56 of the spring is spaced from thebar I 46.

Fixed to the lower side I43 and adjacent the lower edge I43 and adjacent the outer edges I51 and I51 of the lid I42 are the downwardly extending latches I58 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 whose heads I59 areadapted to engage the heads IE6 or the rocker arm I6I mounted on the locks I62 respectively fixed in the brackets I62 having the holes I62" which are aligned with the holes IGZ. Each lock I62 comprises the cylinder I63 having the closed end I64 and the open end I65. The end I64 has the key hole I66 therein for receiving the key I61. The cylinder I63 has the stud I63 in its end I65 and has the lug I68 fixed in its inner end. The other end of the stud I63 has fixed thereto the rocker arm I6I. The lug I69, integral with the cylinder I63, extends inwardly of the cylinder. The relative sizes and locations. of the lugs I68 and I69 require a special key I51 having the notch I19 properly positioned and of proper size to receive the lug I69 so that the key can be manually turned for contacting the edge I'II of the key with the lug I68 to cause rotation of the arm I6I in the direction indicated by the arrow I12, shown in Fig. 2, which is rotatably mounted in the groove I13 of the cylinder I63. The pin I68, in the lug I63, extends outwardly through the slot I68 and retains the lug I63 in rotatable predetermined position in the cylinder. The screw I63" retains the cy1- inder I63 in fixed position.

When the lid I42 is manually moved downwardly and in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, the latches I58 pass through the slots I58 in the plate I2, of the casing lid 2, and the inclined surface I14 of the head I14 of the latch I58 is adapted to contact the inclined surface I15 of the head I16 of the rocker arm I6I. The latches I58 and the rocker arms I6I are formed from spring steel, or suitable resilient material, whereby when the inclined surface I14, of the head I14, contacts the inclined surface I15, of the head I16, the material from which the latches I58 and the arms I6I are formed will spring or give sufficiently to allow the heads I14 to slide over the head I16 and permit the heads I14 to lock on the heads I16, as shown in Fig. 2. The coil spring I11, fixed to the lower curved end I18, of the arm I6I, and to the adjacent side plate I6, is adapted to cause the tail I18 of the rocker arm to move outwardly after the key I61 is operated. The lower flat surface of the head I16 engages the head I14 of the latch I58 whereby upward movement of the lid I42 is prevented and the ballot I4 on the board I5 is concealed and inaccessible until the keys which fit the locks I62 are inserted into the locks and turned for the purpose of causing the heads I16 of the rocker arms to move forwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow I12 thereby disengaging the lower flat surfaces of the heads I16 with the upper fiat surfaces of the heads I14 whereby upward movement of the lid I42 is permitted.

The purpose of providing the locks I62 is that each lock may be adapted to be opened or turned by different kinds of keys I61, whereby one key may be possessed by a representative of one political party and the other key may be possessed by a representative of the other political party so that under no circumstances may the lid I42 be raised to permit voting on the ballot I4 positioned on the board I5 until both keys are inserted in both of the locks and turned for the purpose of disengaging the heads I16 of the rocker arms I62 from the heads I14 of the latches I58.

When the key I61 is inserted in the lock I62 shown in Figs. 24, 25 and 26, in the side 4 of the casing 2, for the purpose of removing the head I16 from contact with the head I15, of the latch I56, the lower curved end I16 of the rocker arm I 6i is received in the notch I4I of the arc I33 which prevents rotation of the arc, for purposes fully hereinafter explained.

The pendant 68, fixed to the bushing 61, has in its lower end the screw I19 on which is pivotally mounted the pawl member or rocker arm I80 whose end or pawl I8I, when the rocker arm is positioned as shown in Fig. 16, is adapted to engage the teeth I82 on the ratchet 69 so that when the hand contact crank 63 is rotated the ratchet 69 is caused to rotate thereby rotating the shaft 54 which in turn rotates the sprocket gear 14 and the main driving gear 12. However, it is desirable to prevent movement of the ballot I4, on the writing board I5, by rotation of the hand contact crank 63 when the lid I42 is in open position for the reason that if the ballot could be moved rearwardly, by rotation of the hand contact crank 63, when the lid is in open position, a voter could vote the ballot exposed through the opening I3 in the plate I2 and then by turning the crank 63 position another ballot on the writing board to be voted. Therefore, under certain circumstances, hereinafter fully explained, the pin I83 on the outer surface of the segment I33 is adapted to contact the tail or lower end I84 of the rocker arm I80 and cause the pawl I8I of the rocker arm to be removed from contact with the teeth I82 of the ratchet 69, whereby rotation of the hand contact crank 63 simply rotates the bushing 61 which in turn rotates the pendant 68 without imparting rotary movement to the ratchet wheel 69 or the sprocket wheel 14.

When the segment I33 returns to the position shown in Fig. 2, after closing the lid, the pin I86 is engaged by the ratchet I80 until the mechanism automatically takes the position shown in Fig. 29 when the ratchet I80 is operated by contact with the pin I83. Also, the flange I41 of the curved bar I45 engages the shoulder I34 simultaneously before final release of the spring I49 from the notch or slot I 40, whereby it is impossible for the operator to disengage the spring I49 from the notch I40 until the flange I41 is received in the slot I31.

When the segment I33 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow I85 the pin I86, extending outwardly from the outer surface of the segment I33, engages the tail or lower end I84 of the rocker arm I80 thereby causing the pawl I8I to disengage the teeth I82 of the ratchet 69, whereby rotary movement cannot be imparted to the gear 12 and the sprocket wheel 14 when the hand contact crank 83 is rotated.

For the purpose of providing positive position of the rocker arm I80 in both positions herein previously explained, the retainer I81 is provided which comprises the cup I81 fixed to the rocker arm I80 and has extending therethrough the pin I88 having received therearound and within the cup the coil spring I89 whose outer end engages the inner surface of the cup and the other end of the coil spring engages the collar I90, fixed to the pin and received in the cup, whereby at all times the coil spring I89 exerts inward force against the collar thereby forcing the inner end I9I of the pin in contact with the pendant 68. The inner end of the pin is adapted to be received in the recess I92, in the lower end of the pendant 68 when the rocker arm is in the position shown in Fig. 18 and when the tail or lower end I84 of the rocker arm I80 is contacted by the pin I83, on the segment I33 to disengage the pawl I8I from engagement with the teeth I82, of the ratchet 69,

' the inner end I9I of the pin I88 is forced outwardly from the depression I92 thereby compressing the coil spring I89 during the period the end I9I of the pin slides over the surface of the pendant 68. The inner end I9I of the pin travels into the depression I93 and the coil spring I89 retains the inner end I9I in the depression to prevent rotary or pivotal movement of the rocker arm I80.

When the segment I33 is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 2 it is desirable that the weight I94 forces the segment to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow I85. The weight is secured to the lower end of the string I95 whose upper end is secured to the rim of the segment I33 and adjacent the notch I4I.

Fixed to the stub shaft I3I and intermediate the segment and the side plate I6 is the sprocket wheel I96 having thereon the chain I91 which also meshes with the sprocket wheel 14. Fixed to the shaft I3I and intermediate the segment I33 and the side 4 of the casing 2 is the ratchet wheel I98 having the teeth I99 thereon.

When the segment I 33 is rotated by the weight I94, it is desirable that the sprocket chain I91, which meshes with the sprocket wheels 14 and I96, does not cause rotation of the sprocket wheel 14. When, however, the weight I94 has forced the segment to rotate it is desirable that rotation of the sprocket wheel 14 causes rotation of the sprocket wheel I96 and the segment I33. Pivotally mounted on the spoke 200 of the segment I33, as by the screw 20I, is the rocker arm or bell crank 202 having the inwardly curved ends 203 and 204. Integrally formed on the inner edge of the bell crank and intermediate the curved ends 203 and 204 is the pawl 205 which may be disengaged from the teeth I99 of the ratchet I98 to permit rotation of the segment I33 without imparting rotative movement to the sprocket wheel I96. When by means, hereinafter fully explained, the pawl 205 is caused to engage the teeth I99 of the ratchet I98, rotary movement of the sprocket wheel 14 imparts rotative movement to the segment I33 through the chain I91, sprocket wheel 96, shaft I3I, ratchet I98 and rocker arm 202.

In order that the rocker arm 202 is retained in two positive positions, namely with the pawl 205 in engagement with the teeth I99 of the ratchet I 98, as shown in Fig. 21 and with the pawl 205 out of contact with the teeth I99 of the ratchet I98, the retainer 206 is provided which is similar to the retainer I81 shown in Fig. 18.

The retainer 206 comprises the cup 201 fixed to the central portion of the rocker arm 202 and has the coil spring 208 therein having its outer end 209 contacting the cup and its'other end contacts the collar 2I0 which contacts the arm 202, and is fixed to the pin 2II whose outer end projects through a hole in the outer end of the cup 201. Its inner end 2I2 passes through the arm 202 and contacts the segment I33. When the rocker arm 202 pivots on the pin 20I from one position to the other the inner end 2I2 of the pin 2I I engages the segment I33. When the rocker arm 202 is in the position shown in Fig. 21 the inner end 2I2 of the pin is received in the depression 2 I3which retains the rocker arm 22in fixed position. When the rocker arm 202 is moved to its other positive position the inner end 2I2 of the pin 2 II is received in the depression 2 I4 whereby the rocker arm 202 is retained in this positive position, until sufficient force is exerted to cause the pin 2 to be removed from the depression 2I4.

Fixed to the inner surface of the side 4 of the casing 2 is the plate 2 5 having integrally formed therewith the spaced apart and inwardly projecting pins 2I6 and 2I1 so arranged and positioned that rotation of the segment I33 in predetermined direction causes the pin 2IG to engage the outer surface of the curved end 293 of the rocker arm 262 for the purpose of forcing the rocker arm 262 in the position shown in Fig. 19 and the pawl 295 is moved in contact and engagement with the teeth I99 of the ratchet I26. Rotatable movement of the segment I33 in a predetermined direction causes the pin 2I1 to engage the outer curved end 224 of the rocker arm 262, thereby causing the rocker arm to pivot in a direction which causes the pawl 255 to disengage the teeth i239 of the ratchet I98.

The coil spring 2I8, having its ends 2i9 and 229, respectively, fixed to the upper surface of the lid I42 and the upturned edge II, of the casing lid 2, automatically urges the lid I42 to the open position shown in Figs. 1 and 29, for purposes hereinafter fully explained.

The mechanism for cutting the ballots, shown in Figs. 2 and 6, comprises the shoulder 225, formed on the rim of the segment I33 which, under circumstances hereinafter described, is adapted to engage the lower end 226 of the vertical connecting rod 221 which is pivotally connected with the leg 228 of the bell crank 229 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 229 fixed to the bar 31. The upper end of the vertical leg 236 is suitably fixed to the rear end of the horizontal supporting finger 234 which, as shown in Fig. 6, is adapted to support the stud 232 fixed to the end 233 of the knife 234 which has its end 235 pivotally connected with the bar 31. The passage 236, clearly shown in Fig. 5, is positioned below the knife 234 and the groove 222 and communicates with the compartment 26, in which the ballot boX I9 is received.

The vertical push rod 231 is positioned in vertical alignment with the curved cam 238 which is secured to the segment 133 as by the screws 239. The cam 238 is eccentric of the hub 240 of the segment I33. The upper end 24!, of the push rod 231, is in alignment with the pin or stud 232 fixed in the end 233 of the knife 234.

Formed on the segment I33 is the lug 242 spaced from the shoulder 225. v

The finger 23! slides in the slot (not shown) in the upper end 243 of the bracket 244 which is fixed to the bracket 229.

The ballot M has integrally formed with its edges H6 and H1 the stubs 245 and 245 which have imprinted thereon the characters 241. The purpose of the characters 241 is to indicate the number of ballots voted as by reference to the character 241 imprinted on the last stubs cut from the strip 5!. The knives 248 and 249 extend upwardly through the slots 256 in the writing board 55. The lower ends of the knives are suitably attached to the inner surfaces of the side plates I6 and I6. The vertical knives 248 and 249 are positioned in vertical alignment with the inner edges of the stubs 245 and 246, respectively.

For the purpose of receiving the stubs 245 and 246 after the stubs are cut from the strip 5!, the boxes and 252 are fixed to the rear 6, of the casing 2, as by the rivets 253 and are positioned in vertical alignment and below the stubs whereby the stubs are adapted to fall by gravitation into the boxes 251 and 252.

Hingedly connected with the rear 6, of the casing 2, are the doors 254 and 255 which are provided with usual locks 256 and 251, respectively, intended to be utilized for the purpose of locking the doors 254 and 255 in closed position. When the boxes 25% and 252 contain stubs 245 and 246, the stubs may be removed from the boxes as by manually unlocking the locks 256 and 251 to permit access to the boxes through the openings or doorways 258 and 259 in the rear of the casing.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Assume that the casing lid 2 is opened and a stack 5i of the continuous strip or web 5! of the ballots i4 is positioned in the compartment 39, after which the first or top ballot is manually passed over the print roll H9 and its perforated edges are received by the pins of the pin wheels Si, 99, N36, l6! and I02 and that the outer or upper edge of the top ballot is in contact with the front side of the knife 234. Then the lid 2 is locked in closed position and the lid I42 is manually retained in open position as shown in Fig. 1. The machine now is ready to use for voting and the first voter uses the ballot I4 positioned adjacent the opening I3 for voting purposes. Or, if preferred, the lid I42 is closed and then the hand contact handle 63 is rotated to cause the first ballot, positioned adjacent the knife 234, pass through the groove 222 and the knife 234 is permitted to fall and cut off the first or blank ballot. Then the machine is ready to vote by the first voter, the first or test ballot whichmay be suitably so mark-ed for record purposes being deposit-ed in the ballot box by the above mentioned action. Or, if preferable, the tail I12 may be retained in the notch I4 I, by suitable manually operative means, as by use of the 'ey 61, for the purpose of retaining the segment 33 in stationary position, as shown in Fig. 2, during the time that the lid 2' is in open position and while the first ballot is being placed in proper position at the opening I3, after which the lid 2' and the lid I42 may be closed and afterward the spring I11 may be permitted to pull or urge the tall 518 from the notch I4I.

In either of the above three mentioned methods of setting the machine for use the subsequent voters vote consecutively and only in the second mentioned method is a test ballot, or one not voted by an authorized voter, necessarily deposited in the ballot box.

When the first voter arrives for the purpose of voting the two keys I61, possessed by two representatives of two different political parties, are inserted into the locks I52 and turned whereby the heads I16 of the rocker arms I6! are removed from contact with the heads I14, of the latches 158, and the tail or lower end I18 of the rocker arm 56!, adjacent the side 4 of the casing 2, s received in the notch I4! in the segment i3 The coil spring 218, having its ends 2!!! and 22 fixed to the upper surface of the lid I42 and the upturned edge 5! of the casing lid 2', causes the lid M2 to automatically open to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 29. The flange I41 received in the notch I36 in the segment I33 prevents rotary movement of the segment I33 during the period of time that the lid I42 is moving from closed position shown in Fig. 5, to the open position shown in Figs. 1 and 29. After the keys I61 are utilized to remove the heads of the rocker arms I8! from contact with the heads of the latches E58 and the segment I33 starts to rotate, while the lid 542 is in open position the tail of the rocker arm iiii contacts the outer edge of the rim of the segment I33. However, when the segment is' in any other position from that shown in Fig. 2 and the lid I42 is closed, said lid cannot be unlocked for the reason that the tail I18 contacts the outer rim of the segment which prevents unlocking the head of the rocker arm I6I, adjacent the side 4 of the casing, from the head of the latch I58 at any time that the lid I42 may be afterward closed and before the segment I33 is rotated to its foremost position, as shown in Fig. 2. Simultaneously when the lid begins to open the spring I52 is removed from the notch I35 in the flange I34 of the segment I33, and the flange I41 of the bar I45 is received in the notch I36 of the segment whereby, during the upward movement of the lid I42 the flange I41 prevents the force of the weight I94 from causing the segment to rotate. An instant before the lid I42 is in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 29, the flange I41 passes from the notch I36 in the segment I33 and the arc is permitted to rotate in a forward direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow I85 caused by force of the weight I94. The spring I49, fixed to the end I48 of the lower curved bar I46, enters the recess I40, after the segment has rotated to the end of its stroke and engages the shoulder 22I thereby preventing rotatable movement of the segment I33 while the lid is in open position, as shown in Fig. 29. The spring I49 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the flange I3 4 of the segment I33 as the weight I94 rotates the segment until the arc rotates to a position permitting the curved spring I49 to enter the recess I40, whereby manual rotation of the segment is prevented until the lid I42 is closed after the voter votes the ballot I4 positioned on the writing board I5.

During the end of the forward travel of the segment I33 in a direction opposite to the arrow I85, the outwardly extending pin I83 contacts the tall or lower end I84 of the rocker arm I80, thereby causing the end I9I of the pin I88 to move from the depression I93 and into the depression I92, and the end or pawl I8I engages the teeth I82 of the ratchet 69 whereby rotation of the manual hand contact crank 63 is adapted to rotate the sprocket wheel 14 and the gear 12; Simultaneously at the end of the forward stroke or movement of the segment I33, the end 203 of the rocker arm 202 contacts the pin 2I6 whereby the rocker arm 202 is caused to pivot into the position shown in Fig. 19 and the pawl 205 is caused to engage the teeth I99 of the ratchet I98 and movement of the sprocket wheel 14, caused by rotation of the hand contact crank 63, causes rotary movement of the segment I33.

After the voter has indicated his choice on the ballot I4, in the opening I3, he manually closes the lid I42, thereby removing the spring I49 from the notch I40, in the inner section I34 of the segment I33. During the downward course of the lid, the segment I33 is held in the position shown in Fig. 2 because the shoulder I45 of the curved bar I41, attached to the lid, is passing through the notch I31 of the inner section I34 of the segment I33, this engagement taking place simultaneously with the releasing of the spring I49 from the notch I40. When the lid has completed its downward course the latch I58 engages the head I16 of the rocker arm I6l, whereby opening of the lid is prevented until the keys I61 are inserted into the locks I66 and turned to cause the heads I15 of the rocker arms I6I to disengage the heads I14 of the latches I58. The voter then may rotate the hand contact crank 63 for the purpose of causing rotation of the pin wheels 8|, 82, 95, 96, 91, 98, 99, I00, IM and I02 whose pins II4 cause the voted ballot I4 to slide upwardly on the writing board I5 and through the space groove 222 in the upper rear plate or shearing bar 31 which comprises the integral upper and lower plates 223 and 224.

After the ballot I4 has passed through the groove 222 the shoulder 225 of the rim of the segment I33 engages the lower end 226 of the connecting rod 221 thereby causing the leg 228 of the bell crank 229 (mounted on the bracket 229' which is fixed to the bar 31) to move downwardly and the vertical leg 230, of the bell crank 229, to move rearwardly which removes the supporting finger 23I from beneath the pin or stud 232, which is fixed t0 the end 233 of the knife 234, thereby permitting the knife 234, (which has its end 235 pivotally connected with the bar 31) to fall downwardly and sever the voted ballot from the strip of ballots, whereby the voted ballot is permitted to fall through the passage 236 and into the ballot box I9.

During the time that the voter turns the hand contact crank 63, for the purpose of causing the ballot I4 to move upwardly on the writing board and through the groove 222, the sprocket wheel 14 is rotated and as by engagement of the sprocket chain I91 the sprocket wheel I96 is rotated on the shaft I3I. When the segment I33 has been rotated a predetermined distance the outwardly extending pin or lug I86 contacts the lower end or tail I64 of the rocker arm I thereby causing the rocker arm to pivot on the screw I19 from the position shown in Fig. 2 and with the pawl I8I out of engagement with the teeth I82 of the ratchet 69, whereby rotatable movement of the hand contact crank 63 cannot impart rotary movement to the sprocket wheel 14 or the gear 12 which prevents the voter from feeding through the groove 222 more than one ballot, or positioning a fresh and unvoted ballot on the writing board I5.

This last described action is regulated to be simultaneous with the arrival of the lower end of the ballot I4 at a point directly under the knife 234 and at the moment that the knife 234 has been operated as above described to cut off the ballot from the strip 5I', at the same time, the spring I52 on the curved bar I46 has entered the slot I35 of the inner rim I34 of the segment I33 thereby stopping and holding in position the segment I33 until the lid is again opened.

At the same time, the slot MI, in the segment I33, has arrived opposite the tail of the rocker arm I6I, permitting movement of the rocker arm I6I sufiiciently to allow movement of the heads I15 with respect to the heads I14, to allow unlocking of the lid I42 as by insertion of the keys I61, in the locks I62 as above described.

This is the only point, in the operation of the machine, where it is possible to open the lid I42 at which point the segment I33 is held in position (until the keys I61 are inserted and turned) by the action of the spring I52 in the slot I35 of the inner rim I34 of the segment I33. While the spring I52 contacts the inner surface of the inner rim I34, of the segment I33, the segment travels in the direction indicated by the arrow I85 as above described, and the slot I36 must pass over the spring I52 since the slot I36 is too narrow to allow the entrance of the spring I52.

Simultaneously during the rotation of the crank 63, for the purpose of positioning an unvoted ballot on the writing board I5, after the lid I42 is closed, and after the segment I33 has travl and eccentric of the hub 24b of the segment.

eled a predetermined distance, the pin 2H contacts the end 294 of the rocker arm 292 thereby causing the pawl 295 to move from the position shown in Fig. 19 out of engagement with the teeth I99 of the ratchet I 98 which permits the segment I33 to be returned into the position shown in Fig. 2, after the lid M2 is opened, without causing rotation of the sprocket wheel through the sprocket wheel I96. The purpose of preventing rotation of the sprocket i l during return movement of the segment it?) is to prevent movement of the ballot [4 through rotation of the main driving gear 12, the gears l5, ii, iii? I05 and I96, and the pin wheels 85, S ,Sl, 98, 99, I69, IOI and I112.

The reasons for the above mentioned operations arethat once the lid is closed, access to the voted ballot I4 is impossible until the lid M2 is opened, as described above, and by the above mentioned operations, opening of the lid is?! is possible at no other time than when a fresh and unvoted ballot I4 is under the lid i l? and at the opening I3.

Opening of the lid I42 can be accomplished only by the simultaneous action of two parties holding the keys I67 which should preferably be entrusted to representives of difierent political parties. When the voter has indicated his preference on the ballot I4 and has closed the lid the lid cannot be again opened until the crank 63 of the machine has been operated to deposit the voted ballot I4 into the ballot box i9, thus preventing inspection of the voted ballot by anyone. The voted ballot cannot be moved from the votable location, until the lid M2 is completely closed, thus preventing the voter or others having access to next unvoted ballot adjacent the voted ballot. If the voter should fail to close the lid I42 after voting, and should leave the machine, the crank 63 cannot be turned, and another unvoted ballot placed at the opening is until the lid I42 is closed and the voted ballot is deposited in the ballot box by rotation of the crank 63, as no unvoted ballots can be moved into votable position by any other action. The object of this operation is to prevent destruction or loss of a ballot although a voter does not complete the action of the machine by closing the lid I42 and turning the crank 63. This combination of operations prevents illegal voting of more than one ballot; identifies the ballot as having passed through the particular machine I; obscures the voted ballot from observation; preserves secrecy;

prevents the use of the machine more than one time, all of which is under the control of the election officers holding the keys 667.

After the key I6! is inserted into the key hole I66 and the arm HSI is moved from engagement with the latch I 58, the lid M2 is permitted to open and subsequent action of the segment i32 (previously explained) caused by force of the weight I94 causes the lower end of the push rod 231 to engage the outer peripheral surface of the cam 238, secured to the segment by the screw E2139,

Rotation of the segment i553 caused upward movement of the push rod 23'! whose upper end 265 contacts the pin 232 in the end 233 of the knife 234 whereby the knife is forced upwardly. Immediately thereafter the lower end of the cornnecting rod 221 is contacted by the lug 2 22 integral with the rim of the segment and the rod 221 forces the leg 228 of the bell crank 229 upwardly, whereby the leg 239 moves forwardly and causes the finger 23I to slide under the stud 232 in the end 233 of the knife 234 thereby sup porting the knife in its upward position. The finger 225i slides in a slot (not shown) in the upper end of the bracket 2M which is suitably fixed to the bracket 223'.

The ballot M has on the edges H5 and II! the stubs 2&5 and 245; having imprinted thereon the characters Z ll which, as previously mentioned, are intended to indicate the number of ballots voted. The upwardly extending knives 2 13 and 2&9 sever the stubs 245 and 266 from the strip 5| as the strip is moved forwardly as by operation of the hand contact handle 63.

After the stubs 245i and 2 16 are cut from the main body of the strip 5 I they fall by gravitation into the boxes EM and 252 fixed to the rear 6 of the casing 2 as by the rivets 253.

The ballots I4 are numbered successively on the stubs and 246 while in the machine I, thereby making possible the determination of the number of ballots previously voted and deposited in the ballot box at any time. The identifying numbers 2d? are cut off making it impossible to detect one ballot from another, thus assuring a secret ballot as far as determining how any particular individual has voted. lhe votes are also deposited at random in the ballot box Ii), thus making the identification of any particular voters vote impossible.

An important advantage of the invention is that fraud in elections is practically eliminated, since no person handles a voted ballot until it is removed from the ballot box. Moreover, the voted ballots are deposited into the ballot box by the voters themselves and no ballot is visible to the voter except the ballot which he marked or voted. Moreover, use of the invention enables honest election oflicials, who may be accused of dishonesty, to furnish a record of each detail operation of the machine which may be used as evidence to prove untruth of the charge of dishonesty.

Another advantage of the invention is that all of the voted ballots are deposited automatically into the ballot box in such a manner that subsequently one voted ballot cannot be identified from another voted ballot. Therefore, possibility is eliminated of any one determining for whom or for what proposition any voter voted. Also, each ballot has imprinted thereon characters to identify the ballots voted in diiferent machines at different locations.

Still another advantage of the invention is that the stubs are automatically removed from the ballots without possibility of any ballot being mutilated. Also, the ballots are of flexible cardboard and not folded, whereby if desired a counting machine may be practically utilized for counting and punching the voted ballots, or the ballots may be conveniently stacked and counted without aid of mechanism.

Still another advantage of the invention is that when a considerable number of voters collect at the voting poll for the purpose of voting, such voters may be arranged in lines leading to the various voting machines, whereby confusion is avoided and at the same time the voters may vote rapidly and efficiently without any loss of time. Also, fewer election attendants are required since only two persons are required to register the voters and two persons are required to unlock the voting machines to permit voters to vote. Also, the machine cannot be opened by any one during election hours for the purpose of removing or tampering with the voted ballots.

It is, therefore, quite apparent that I have invented a highly desirable and practical device for the purposes intended and that utilization of the invention will reduce the normal election 'derstood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars. In other words, it is apparent that the parts of the invention may be of any size and constructed of any materials deemed convenient and suitable for an article of this character, and while I have illustrated and described a form of construction and arrangement of the elements found desirable in materializing the invention, I wish to emphasize the fact that I desire to include in this application all equivalents and substitutes that may fairly be considered to come within the scope and purview of the invention as defined in the claims. For instance, instead of the ballots being arranged in stacks or strips suitable mechanism may be provided for placing single and separated ballots on the writing board.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening in its top, a lid hingedly connected with said casing and which may be manually moved from an open position to a closed position and moved from a closed position to an open position, means for feeding a ballot past said opening, manually operative means for operating said first mentioned means and being operatively connected with said first mentioned means immediately after said lid is in closed position and before said manually operative means is operated to operate said first mentioned means, a segment rotatably mounted in said casing, means to lock said lid in closed position, means to force said lid toward open position when said lid is unlocked, means to rotate said segment to a predetermined position when said 1 lid is unlocked and forced from closed position toward open position, means operated by said segment during its rotatable movement to cause said first mentioned means to be operatively connected with said second mentioned means,

= and means operated by rotation of said segment,

when said ballot is being fed past said opening, to cause said first mentioned means to be inoperative with respect to said second mentioned means.

2. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening therein, a lid hinged to said casing and which may close said opening when said lid is in closed position, operative means for moving a votable ballot to and past said opening, anually operative means for opin one direction, means to cause movement of erating said first mentioned means, a segment rotatably mounted in said casing, means to urge said lid into open position to make said ballot accessible to a voter, means to urge said segment said segment in another direction when said manually operative means are operated, means to retain said segment in a predetermined position during a portion of the travel of said lid toward open position and to subsequently permit said segment urging means to move said segment in said one direction and into a predetermined position, releasable means to retain said segment in said last mentioned predetermined position, means operative by said segment during its travel in said one direction which causes said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said first mentioned means, and means operative by said segment during its travel in said other direction which causes said manually operative means to be inoperative with respect to said first mentioned means.

3. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening therein, a lid hinged to said casing and which may close said opening when said lid is in closed position, operative means for moving a votable ballot to and past said opening, manually operative means for operating said first mentioned means, a segment mounted in said casing, means to urge said lid into open position to make said ballot accessible to a voter, means to urge said segment in one direction, means to retain said segment in a predetermined position during a portion of the travel of said lid toward open position and to subsequently permit said segment urging means to move said segment in said one direction and into a predetermined position, releasable means to retain said segment in said last mentioned predetermined position, means operative by said segment during its travel in said one direction which causes said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said first mentioned means.

4. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening therein, a lid hinged to said casing and which may close said opening when said lid is in closed position, operative means for moving a votable ballot to and past said opening, manually operative means for operating said first mentioned means, a segment rotatably mounted in said casing, means to urge said lid into open position to make said ballot ac cessible to a voter, means to urge said segment in one direction, means to cause movement of said segment in another direction when said manually operative means are operated, means to retain said segment in a predetermined position during a portion of the travel of said lid toward open position and to subsequently permit said segment urging means to move said segment in said one direction and into a predetermined position, means to prevent further rotation of said segment while said lid is in an open position, means operative by said segment during its travel in said one direction which causes said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said first mentioned means, and means operative by said segment during its travel in said other direction which causes said manually operative means to be inoperative with respect to said fi mentioned means.

5. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening therein, a lid hinged to said casing and which may close said opening when said lid is in closed position, operative means for moving a votable ballot to and past said opening, manually operative means for operating said first mentioned means, a segment mounted in said casing, means to urge said lid into open position to make said ballot accessible to a voter, means to urge said segment in one direction, means to retain said segment in a predetermined position during a portion of the travel feeding said strip,

of said lid toward open position and tosubsequently permit said segment urging means to move said segment in said one direction and into a predetermined position, means operative by said segment duringits travel in said one direction which causes said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said first mentioned means.

6. "In a device of the class described,.a casing containing a vote receiving strip, mechanism for manually operative means adapted to be operatively connected with said mechanism, a lid connected with-said casing and which may be manually closed for covering a portion of said strip, means to urge said .lid to an open position, and means adapted to auto- -matically operate while said lid is being urged for feeding said strip, manually operative means adapted to be operatively connected with said mechanisnna lid connected with said casing and adapted to be manually closed for covering a portion of said strip, means to urge said lid toward open position, and means adapted to automati cally operate while said lid is being .urged toward open position and render said manually operative means inoperative with respect to said feeding mechanism.

8. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening therein, a lid movably connected with said casing and which may be manually moved from an open to a closed position, said lid being adapted to close said opening when in closed position, -means .for feeding a ballot past said opening, manually operative means for operating said first mentioned means and being operatively connected thereto immediately after said lid .is manually forced in closed position and before said manually operative means is operated to feed said ballot past said opening, a segment rotatably mounted in said casing and being operatively-connected with said manually operative means immediately after said 'lid is closed and beioresaid manually operative means is operated to feed said ballot past said opening, means operated by rotation of said segment in one direction caused by operation of said manually operative means to cause said manually operative means to be inoperative with respect to said segment and with respect to said feeding mechanism, releasable means to retain said lid in closed position, means to automatically urge said lid to partly open position when said releasable means are released, means to automatically rotate said segment in a direction different from said one direction after said lid is urged to a partly open position, means operated during said last mentioned rotation of said segment to cause said manually operative means to be operative with respect to said segment and with respect to said feeding mechanism after said lid is closed.

'9. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening therein, a lid movably connected with said casing and which may be manually moved vfrom an opento a closed position, said lid being adapted to close said opening when in closed position, means ffor .ieeding a ballot past said opening, manually operative means for operating said first mentioned means and being operable after said lid is manually forcedin closed position and before saidmanually operative means is operated to -feed said ballot past said opening, a segment rotatably mounted in said casing and being operatively connected with said manually operative .means immediately after said lid is closed .and before said manually operative meansis-operated to .feed said ballot past said opening, means-operatedby rotation of said segment in one direction caused by operation of said manually operativemeans to cause said manually operative means to'beinoperative with respect to said segment and :with respect to said feeding mechanism, releasable means to retain saidlid in closed position, means to urge said lid to open position when said .releasable means are released.

.10. ,In a device of the classdescribed, a-casing having an opening, a lid to close the opening,

means to feed a ballot past the opening, manually operative means controlled by said lid to operate said means, .said manually operative means being operative with respect to said first mentioned means when said lid is closed and before said ballot is fed past said opening, and means operated by said manually operative means to cause it to be inoperative with respect to said first mentioned means, and means .-to cause said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said firstmentionedmeans when said lid is opened.

11. Ina mechanism of the class described, a casing .having anopening at its top and having slots therein, .a lid hingedly connected with said casing to close said opening, means for feeding .a voting strip past said opening, manually'operative means for operating .said means, .a .segment rotatably mounted in said casing and having a flange on its inner edge, a pair'of upper and a lower spaced apart curved bars being fixedrto the lower side of said lid and being slidable insaid slots, means operated by movement of said segment in one direction .to cause said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said first mentioned means and means operated by movement of said segment in another direction to cause said manually operative means to be inoperative with respect to said first mentioned means, means to automatically rotate said segment in one direction and said flange being adapted to cooperate with said .bars to restrict movement of said segment.

12. In mechanism of the class described, a casing having an opening at its top, a 'lid hingedly connected with said casing which may close said opening, means for feeding a voting strip past said-opening, manually operative means for operating said means, a segment rotatably mounted in said casing, means operated by movement oI said segment inone direction'to cause said manually operative means to be operatively connected with said first mentioned means and means operated by movement of said segment .in another direction to cause said manually operative means to be inoperative with respect to said first mentioned means.

WEN'DELL B. CAMPBEIL. 

